i train on michelin krylion/endurance4's. i have found these to offer excellent flat protection and also are high mileage. I get 2000-2500miles per tire. they handle well in all conditions.i race on vittoria open pro tubulars 320tpi 23mm. i use the wider tubulars because i run newer wider rims that require a wider tire. the only i change for different conditions is the amount of pressure i put in my tires. for tt's or road races with few turns where handling or cornering isn't an issue i run higher pressures 120lbs(i only weigh 145lbs) for crits or technical rr's i run 105-110lbs of pressure. also on courses with rain or poor road surface i run lower pressure for a better contact patch and less harsh ride, 105-110lbs. it should also be noted that based on your weight is how much pressure you can/should run. that's to say i'm light so i run lower pressures. if you're a bigger guy you can run higher pressures(within reason) so if you're say 180lbs on a technical crit course then 120lbs maybe appropriate for you but would be too high for me

I've grown to really dig Contis over the years, and have use a number of different products, including more recently 28mm 4-Seasons and Attack/Force clinchers as well as Competition tubulars.

The 4-Seasons are great, not a single flat the whole last winter (would not be enjoyable at conditions including below 5°C in the dark). And there's lots of grit on the roads, the didn't even get cut up. Used them only in training.

Attack/Force, while excellent rolling tyres, I've found to be on the more fragile side.

Conti comps are just plain awesome. They are fast, tough, grippy, and have a broad range of pressure they work with. Been riding the 22mm ones at very low pressures occasionally, around 5bar or slightly below even, and they still worked great. Normally around 7bar. Spent most of the time since spring on them without a flat. (Not living in a very flat prone area, but never say never).

Race and train on veloflex corsa/master and decent tubes. I'll puncture out training a few more times than my mates each year (veloflexes don't have much puncture resistance) but they are simply the best available for grip and ride quality.....I am slightly spoiled. I have backup sets of all sorts (conti's[most types],Vittorias [my second choice], IRC [<---don't do it...they are awful] maxxis etc) but the veloflex option is absolutely head and shoulders above the rest. Wear wise, if you don't puncture them too badly and damage the casing, they do quite well. I gave one of my "cast offs" to the lad I coach(ed)....he promptly put about 4000km on it before the casing started making an appearance inappropriately I prefer latex tubes but will often put light butyl tubes on the trainer (having said that, I ride my light bike 90% of the time). N.B. I rarely use my superlight wheels (805 ish g with tubs, Vitt crono evo s) and pretty much stick to my clinchers nowadays as I have built a 50mm set down to 1100 ish g (I still don't have them fully sorted yet tho....keep heat damaging the front rims on the steeep descents round here). It may be noted that my tyre choices are NOT budget orientated but more quality of ride/race orientated .......I drive a cheap car ....don't pinch pennies on my bike

_________________Updated: Racing again! Thought this was unlikely! Eventually, I may even have a decent race!Edit: 2015: darn near won the best South Island series (got second in age-group)..woo hoo Racy Theremery is back!!

I should have said.....I have veloflex records for good surface, dry, courses and use uber light latex tubes I took out of some tubs years ago on this combo. This is my top combo (Tubes came from some SOYO?? track tubs, i think....but I've had them for years....they are something like 50g each with an extended valve.)....I'll get eclipse tubes for them some day soon (obviously not for hill use or death will come calling).

_________________Updated: Racing again! Thought this was unlikely! Eventually, I may even have a decent race!Edit: 2015: darn near won the best South Island series (got second in age-group)..woo hoo Racy Theremery is back!!

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